Hungers and Compulsions: The Psychodynamic Treatment of Eating Disorders and Addictions

Abstract

Reviews the book Hungers and Compulsions: The Psychodynamic Treatment of Eating Disorders and Addictions edited by Jean Petrucelli and Catherine Stuart (see record 2003-01912-015). This book presents the different psychological perspectives of eating disorders. This book comes out of the Hungers and Compulsions Conference created by the Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse Service of the William Alanson White Institute. The book is a compilation of writing of authors who differ in their psychotherapeutic approach. Each author has a vast experience in either eating disorders or addictive behaviors. The book's seven sections cover: "Addictive Economies;" "Expanding the Analytic Space: Dissociation and the Eating-Disordered Patient;" "On Being Stuck: Enactments, Mutuality, and Self-Regulation with Eating-Disordered Patients;" "To Eat or Not to Eat: The Psychic Meanings of the Decision;" "Creativity and Addiction;" "Desires and Addictions;" and "Winnicott and Masud Khan: A study of Addiction and Self-Destruction." The only real drawback is that the book is too long and repetitive. In sum, this book truly embraces the art of psychotherapy in all of its complex intricacies. It is strongly recommended for clinicians who work with addictive populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)